Loose-leaf binder



LOOSE LEAF BINDER Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fiied May 2, 1941 March 30; 194 3- f P. o. NGER l 2,315,303

' LoosE LEAF BINDER 5 Filed May 2, 1941 2 Sheets-SheeXt 2 1&2

- 2///, l li' ATTORNY.

Patented Mar; 30, 1943 LoosE-LEAF BINDER Y Paul O. Unger, Elmhurst, l

Company, ChicagoJll., a corporation of Jones Massachusetts Application May 2, 1941,

assignor to Wilsonj lserial No. 391,500

s claims. (c1. 12s-.13)

This invention relates to a post binder and particularly to means for holding the back sections against movement in an outward direction. 1

It is an object of my invention to provide easily operated means for locking the back sections of a binder against expansion or releasingthem to permit such movement. Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a binder embodying the invention, showing the various parts in disassembled position;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken through the locking mechanism;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the locking mechanism in unlocked position;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines IV-IV of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the locking mechanism in locking position.

In the drawings the reference numerals 2 and 3 designate a pair of telescoping angle back members. The member 3 is provided at its ends with a pair of inwardly turned flanges 4 adapted to embrace the edges of the angle back member 2 when the angle back members are telescoped. A cover member 5 is secured to each angle back member by means of a reinforcing plate 6. A pair of sheet retaining posts 1 is secured to the angle back member 2 in any suitable manner. Sheet retaining posts, staggered in relation to the posts 1, may be secured to the angle back member 3. However, in my preferred construction a plurality of sheet retaining posts 8, staggered with relation to the posts 1, is mounted on a transfer bar 9. The transfer bar 9 is provided with a plurality of studs I0 adapted to fit into suitable recesses in the angle back member 3 to retain the transfer bar in position. All of the foregoing structure is conventional and it will be understood that any details thereof may be changed without affecting the efficiency of the locking device which constitutes the subject matter of applicants present invention.

The locking mechanism includes a housing lil secured to the upstanding wall II of the angle back member 2 by means of rivets I2. It is obvious that the housing may be secured to the angle back member by welding, or by any other suitable means. A locking plate I3 is pivotly mounted in the housing I0 by means of a stud I4. The locking plate is preferably U-shaped, as

illustrated in the drawings, but it will bevunderstood that it may be of any suitable shape.

The top and bottom walls of the housing I0 are aperturecl,V as indicated at I5 and I6, andthe middle wall ofthe locking plate i3 isapertured in registration therewith, as indicatedat I1', in order to permit a locking post I8, mounted on the angle back member 3, toy project therethrough. The size of the aperture I1 is such that the locking bar I8 may pass freely therethrough when the locking plate I3 is parallel to the top and bottom walls of the housing I0. 'When the lockingplate yI3 is tiltedV angularly with respect to the top and bottom walls of the housing I0, y

the edges of the middle wall of the locking` plate adjacent the aperture I1 engage the locking post I6 to prevent relative outward movement thereof.

A toggle link I9 is pivotly secured' to one end of the locking plate I3, as indicated at 2.0. The other end of the toggle linkk I9 is pivotly connected to a slide 2 I, as indicated at 22. The toggle link is slightly longer than the height of the housing ID and has two opposite corners rounded ol as indicated at 23 so that one of the sharp edges 24 will engage the top or bottom wall of the housing to prevent motion of the toggle link beyond a certain predetermined point.

The slide 2I is provided with a slot 25 which engages a stud 26 adapted to support the slide 2| away from the wall II so as to permit the flange 4 of the angle back member 3 to be positioned between the wall II and the slide 2 I The slide 2| is provided with a finger piece 21 to facilitate manipulation of the device.

The pivot points 20 and 22 are so arranged that when the locking plate I3 is in the open position, indicated in Figure 3, the pivot 20 is closer than the pivot 22 to the locking post I8. When the slide 2l is pushed inwardly the pivot point 22 moves between the locking post I8 and the pivot 20. In this position of the toggle link the locking plate I3 is lockingly engaged with the locking post I8. As shown in Figure 5, when the toggle link I9 is in the locking position any attempt to move the locking post I8 outwardly with respect to the locking plate I3 merely increases the force with which the edges i1 of the locking plate engage the locking post I8. A spring 28 coiled around the stud I4 has `one end 29 pressing against the top wall of the housing I0, and its other end 30 pressing against the locking plate I3, so as to urge the locking plate I3 towards locking position as indicated in Figure 5. When the locking plate I3 is in its unlocked position, indicated in Figure 3, the toggle link I9 prevents the spring 28 from forcing the locking plate to locking position.

Although I have described one embodiment of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be ,restricted tothe exact details of the structure described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of angle back members, a locking post mounted on one of saidback members, g other back member and adapted vto engage said locking post, a toggle link secured to one end of said locking plate, and a handle mounted on said second mentioned back member engaging said toggle link t0 actuate said locking plate.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a housing mounted on said back member, a locking plate pivotally mounted in said housing, a slide mounted on said back member, and a toggle link pivoted at one end to said slide and at the other end to said locking plate.

3. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a housing mounted on said back member, a locking plate pivotally mounted in said housing, a slide mounted on saidback member, a toggle link connecting said slide and said locking plate, said toggle link being actuated through said slide to move said locking plate either to locking or una locking plate mounted on said so arranged as to locked position, and a spring urging said locking plate towards locking position.

4. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a housing mounted on said back member, a locking plate in said housing, a slide mounted on said back member, and a toggle link connecting said slide and said locking plate, said toggle link being adapted to engage one Wall of said housing to limitthe movement of said link.

5. In a loose-leafbinder, a back member, a housing mounted on said back member, a locking K platein said housing, a slide mounted on said back member, and a toggle link pivoted to said slide and to said locking plate, said pivot points being provide a dead center through which said toggle link must pass to move said locking plate from either locking or unlocked position to the other position.

6. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of angle back members, a locking post mounted on one of said back members, a housing mounted on said other back member, a locking plate mounted in said housing, said housing and said locking plate being apertured t0 receive said locking post, a slide mounted on said second mentioned back member, and a toggle link pivoted at one end to said slide and pivoted at its other end to said locking plate, said rstmentioned pivot point being closer than said second mentioned pivot point to said locking post when said locking plate is in locking position and farther than it when said locking plate is in unlocked position.

PAUL O. UNGER. 

